The viability of all the concepts that were brainstormed were all checked out and all the differences and advantages were put into consideration. The environment and the work suitability was checked together with the required specifications that each concept brought into place. Decision matrices were used to outline the suitability of the selected concept. Notably, concept B was the most preferred. Some of its advantages that made it a better choice over the other concepts was due to its security payload, speed indicators and stability. Therefore, concept B is expected to show better results in the Development of Product Specifications, Development of Functional Analysis and concept ranking. The following matrices show the different attributes of concept B and were weighted against a scale of 10. Notably, the concept that showed the highest score was taken for further testing on integration feasibility.
Power and Drive Concepts
Autonomous
Scissor Lift
Ravine Crossing
Device Operation
Concept B has been selected and after testing and integration process, the concept seemed superior although other specifications need to be added to make the concept even better.
According the concept, the device will have three main functions; Autonomous – the ability of the machine to be controllable. This will be made possible by programming and the use of some major tools. These tools include the micro-controller and sensors. The microcontroller will enable the whole device to be responsive and programmable. It will enable the scissor to lift the ball on request and lower the ball. On request, the forward and backward movement of the device will be enabled by the micro-controller. The Sensors will ensure that both movements and of the device and scissors are more precise (Wilcox, 1987). The ability of the sensors and microcontroller to be effective gave a good rating. The rating proved that the ease of programming, flexibility of the program used, and compatibility with other parts of the device was satisfying.
The other main function of the device should be the upward and downward movement of the scissor lift. The lift will carry the bar upward and downwards together with the payload storage and ravine crossing mechanism. The strength of material used to make the scissor lift, reliability of the lift, ease of control, and stability were measured. The overall rating proved to be important for the whole device to carry out its functions appropriately. The total score averaged at 9.6 for both upward and downward movement. Therefore, the strength of the material, and other factors will be essential in developing the full project.
The other main function of the device is the ravine crossing. The concept allows for the scissor movement to have a base where the ravine crossing mechanism as well as the payload will be placed. The parts will consist of a wheel and motor which on reaching the pipe, they will lock over the pipe and then cross the ravine. The motor should be a DC induction motor or an AC induction motor. If an AC induction motor is preferred, then a wires that will come from an AC source will be provided. However, the DC induction motor is the best since its source of power can be a portable one. The motor will provide the mechanical movement to and fro across the ravine. The friction that will be produced between the wheel and the pipe should be of the right amount so as to allow for ease of movement and at the same time avoid fast wearing out of the wheels. If the friction is very high, the motor control power will be higher and the rate of wearing off of the wheels will be very high. The locking mechanism of the system should provide a proper grip that will allow the device to be able to hold onto all the weight. By this, if the weight is too much, than what the locking mechanism can handle, then the sensors should sense that and disallow any motion. Therefore, for concept B, the mechanism of ravine crossing is easier to implement. The ratings that were found during testing and integration process gave satisfactory figures.
Power and drive concepts are the upward movement of the scissors and the forward and backward movement of the device across the ravine. The total power usage is a must to be considered since the motor in this case is providing the most of the mechanical movement.
Bibliography
Wilcox, A. (1987). Engineering design. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.
